Dubai to Mumbai is one of the busiest international air corridors in the world, with dozens of nonstop departures every day and a flight time of just over three hours. This guide covers who flies it direct, what a fair return fare looks like in dirhams, when prices spike, and how to land the cheapest seats on a route where full-service and low-cost carriers slug it out daily.
Route: Dubai (DXB) → Mumbai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (BOM)
Distance: approximately 1,930 km (1,200 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 3h 15m eastbound
Direct flights: Yes — Emirates, flydubai, IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa Air all fly non-stop from Dubai International, as does Air India, which carried almost seven in ten of the cheapest fares we found at AED 869–992. This is a short, high-frequency route, so a nonstop is almost always the sensible choice — 95 of the 100 cheapest fares are direct.
Fares from Dubai to Mumbai (AED)
Because so many airlines compete on this route, fares stay reasonable most of the year, but they climb sharply during the peaks: the summer months of June to August (expat family travel and Indian school holidays), Diwali in October/November, and the Christmas–New Year window. The quietest, cheapest stretches are February–March and September. The figures below are typical economy return fares in dirhams — the lowest are usually the low-cost carriers, with Emirates sitting a little higher for the widebody comfort.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | medium-high |
| February | — | low |
| March | — | low-medium |
| April | — | medium |
| May | — | medium-high |
| June | — | high (school holidays) |
| July | — | high |
| August | — | high |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | high (Diwali) |
| November | — | medium-high |
| December | — | very high |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, the floor is AED 864 and the median AED 986, with nine fares in ten under AED 1,000. So a return around AED 980 is the going rate rather than a find, and a genuinely strong one is under about AED 900. One correction to the usual advice: the low-cost carriers did not set the floor here — full-service Air India was the cheapest at AED 869, while flydubai was AED 1,135–1,149.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 3h15m):
- Emirates — multiple daily nonstops on A380 and Boeing 777 widebodies; the premium, full-service choice with generous baggage and a big global network beyond Mumbai.
- flydubai — daily nonstops on Boeing 737 MAX, with an optional Business cabin and Emirates codeshare connections through Dubai.
- IndiGo — frequent daily nonstops on A320neo/A321 aircraft; India’s biggest low-cost carrier and usually among the cheapest fares.
- Air India Express — low-cost Boeing 737 MAX service, often the value pick with buy-on-board extras.
- Akasa Air — India’s newest low-cost airline, now flying the route with modern 737 MAX jets.
With this many operators, the nonstops themselves compete on price, so there is rarely any reason to take a one-stop itinerary on such a short hop. If comfort and bags matter, book Emirates; if the headline price is everything, compare IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa Air.
When to book & how to save
- Book about 4–6 weeks ahead for the best balance of price and choice; fares on this route move fast in the final fortnight.
- Avoid the peaks: the June–August summer holidays, Diwali (October/November) and Christmas/New Year are the most expensive and busiest weeks.
- Fly in February, March or September for the lowest fares and the quietest cabins.
- Watch the bags: low-cost carriers sell cheap fares with hand baggage only — add a checked bag and the price can meet Emirates. Compare the all-in total.
- Mid-week wins: Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday departures are usually cheaper than the Thursday–Friday rush.
Arriving in Mumbai
All flights land at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), about 8 km north of the central city. International arrivals use the modern Terminal 2. The easiest way into town is a prepaid taxi from the official airport counter or an app-based cab — roughly AED 30–70 to South Mumbai depending on traffic, which can be heavy. Mumbai’s metro network also reaches the airport area for a cheaper hop toward the suburbs. Allow plenty of time: the drive to Colaba or the Fort district can take well over an hour in rush hour.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Dubai to Mumbai?
Non-stop flights take about 3 hours 15 minutes eastbound from Dubai to Mumbai, and a similar time on the return. It is a short, frequent hop, so almost every seat sold is a direct flight rather than a connection.
Are there direct flights from Dubai to Mumbai?
Yes, and plenty of them. Emirates, flydubai, IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa Air all fly non-stop between Dubai and Mumbai, with 40 or more departures every day across the airlines. There is no need to take a one-stop routing on this route.
How much does it cost to fly from Dubai to Mumbai?
A typical economy return runs about AED 978–992, median AED 986, with the cheap fares spanning AED 864–1,149. The best deals start at AED 864, usually in February, March or September, while summer, Diwali and the December peak push above that band.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Dubai to Mumbai?
February, March and September are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, returns started at AED 864 on a connection and AED 869 non-stop. Avoid June to August, Diwali (October/November) and the Christmas–New Year period, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from Dubai to Mumbai?
Non-stop, cheapest first in our fare data: Air India from Dubai (AED 869–992, almost seven in ten of the cheapest fares), Air Arabia from Sharjah rather than Dubai (from AED 977) and flydubai from Dubai (AED 1,135–1,149). Emirates, IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa Air also fly it non-stop but did not appear among the cheapest when we checked; the one connection to appear was Air India Express via Mangalore at AED 864. Note that the low-cost carriers did not set the lowest fares here, and that Air Arabia leaves from a different airport. Emirates offers the roomiest widebody cabins.
Which airport do I fly into in Mumbai?
You arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), Mumbai’s main gateway, about 8 km north of the central city. International flights use the modern Terminal 2.
How far in advance should I book Dubai to Mumbai flights?
Aim to book about 4 to 6 weeks ahead for the best fares. On such a busy route, prices are competitive early but rise quickly in the last two weeks, especially around the summer and festive peaks.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes — midweek departures (particularly Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday) tend to be cheaper than the Thursday–Friday rush. Shifting your trip by a day or two, and pairing weekday flights out and back, can trim AED 100–300 off a return.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
